Streak Must Continue



How dare he consider benching Favre

As the Vikings 2010 season continues to circle the toilet, Brett Favre and Brad Childress are entering an epic showdown. Favre, with two fractures in his ankle, wants to give playing "a try" on Sunday against New England and keep his 291 consecutive games played streak alive. Chilly isn't sure he wants to give him that chance.

Despite everything Favre's been through the last few years, the streak has always been the biggest part of his legacy. He's played with every injury under the sun. There's a reason he was hooked on Vicodin years ago. For the last 20 years, if you couldn't believe in anything else, believe in Favre under center on Sunday.

Now Brad Childress, of all people, wants to come in and say "I've gotta do what's best for this team." What's best for the team is having the guy everyone bent over backwards for play quarterback. If Chilly thinks he's going to get back control of the team by making a stand against a banged-up Favre, he's dumber than he looks and sounds. Benching Favre mid-season is a worse move than sending guys to Mississippi to corner him into coming back and lying about it.

Chilly won't bench Favre. He would like to but he knows he can't do it. As long as Favre isn't down with a season/career-ending, surgery-requiring injury, he will be the Vikings quarterback. Chilly is the last guy to make that call with the mockery he's made of his position over the last two years. Favre now runs the team, Childress. He got you a $15 million extension (the dumbest move of the past decade, just ahead of JaMarcuss Russell.) If Favre doesn't want to play, then look to TJack. But that won't happen because the only thing he has left is the streak. Until Favre shuts it down himself you're stuck with him. It's exactly what you wanted, Chilldress.

It's Still on Favre

He's Back.

When the Vikings couldn't land Vincent Jackson a couple of weeks ago, the season looked like a loss until at least Sidney Rice got back on the field. And even then it probably was too far gone to be saved.

Brett Favre's lack of confidence in his receivers was all too apparent in the first three games. His attitude screamed "I wish is was back in Mississippi. Damn you, Jared and Hutch for backing me into a corner and agreeing to this."

His chucking the ball straight in the air down field to Bernard Berrian, only to be intercepted numerous times, was equivalent to sending up a flare. A distress signal to management, fans, teammates: This is what happens without a decent receiver on the other end. Something must be done.

Zygi and Chili were listening. They tried hard to land Jackson but nothing short of multiple No. 1 picks was going to satisfy Chargers GM A.J. Smith. So they came up empty-handed, beat the Lions and went on the bye week. Favre had a couple more weeks to get on the same page with his junior varsity receivers and gear up for a brutal stretch of games. Little did the public know Chili, the sly old dog, was targeting the biggest star the Vikings ever had, Randy Moss.

Bringing in Moss, who is looking for a contract extension, indicates the Vikings know it's now or never. 2010 with Favre is the last chance they have for a long while. They needed a big-time receiver and they needed him NOW.

This is the same guy Favre wanted Green Bay to sign in 2007. He's still on top of the game and can deliver on deep routes as well as anyone. There are no more excuses for Favre. If getting Moss doesn't snap him out of his "I wish I weren't here" funk, nothing will. He must start playing better or he will receive the blame. And whatever doesn't go to him goes to Childress.

Luckily Bill Belichick wanted to get something in return for Moss and what he got was a third round pick. The Patriots had no intention of re-signing him after the season and Moss made that clear by saying numerous times "this will probably be my last season with the Patriots."

Fans in Minnesota rejoiced when the referee-soaking, meter maid-swiping, "play-when-I-want-to," "straight cash"-paying receiver returned to them. As well they should. This is the only shot they have and need all the help they can get.

"Favre to Moss!" sounds good and it will be heard a lot if the Vikings are to make a run this year.

Fix Sunday Ticket Now

NFL Sunday Ticket is a wonderful thing but it's a rip off and a monopoly. Way too much for one house. They need to make it cheaper and give it to all other providers. Why does DirectTV get to horde it? I'd like the anti-trust guys who looked into Microsoft to look into this. Let more people enjoy a reasonably priced product. Thirty bucks a month, that's half of what it is now. The whole season for $120 - done.

This has gotta be connected to the potential lockout some way. Too much money going one place. Figure this broadcasting problem out along with the black-out and lack of stadium participation. All this is tied up together with the rest of the billions of dollars that might shut this thing down next year.

Let me say this: I've put my head in the sand on this lockout thing. I don't buy it, don't want to hear about it, don't believe it. Only when it's actually shut down will I buy it. These owners and player representatives are smart, based on the positions they hold, they have to be. So how could they be dumb enough to shut down the most popular league in sports?

BUT THE POINT WAS.... you don't need Sunday Ticket some weeks. Not if you're in the Des Moines/Central Iowa region tomorrow. The four best games are on the locals.

No. 4: Giants at Colts - NBC Sunday night
I'm not into the Manning Bowl hype but would like to see where these teams are at. I'll take the Colts here.

No. 3: Bears at Cowboys - FOX 12:00
If the Cowboys start 0-2 people will be up in arms. The Bears will show their true colors here. I'm going with Bum's son, like everyone else.

No. 2: Dolphins at Vikings - CBS 12:00
Dolphins are an intriguing team. I like watching their personnel and Sparano on the sidelines, yelling. Home opener in Minnesota. The Favre and Chili Show is back in town! Take the Vikings.

No. 1: Patriots at Jets - CBS 3:15
Seems like everyone is taking the Pats here but I'm going Jets. I'm with the home team in a bitter division rivalry. I haven't been convinced the Pats are back to '07 form after one game against the Bengals, who played like dogs in the first half and gave away the game easy and early. Jets run it better, play tough D and squeak out a close one, 16-13.

The best game I don't get: Ravens at Bengals. Division game - means a lot to both teams. Cincinnati can't fall in that 0-2 hole. If so, they'll never get out. The other division game, only 3 this weekend, is Bucs at Panthers. Hard-hitting NFC South action. I'm going Ravens and Panthers in those two.

Other notables:
Texans at Redskins - which team is for real? Either? Redskins to win
Steelers at Titans - Pittsburgh is dinged up and Titans could be rolling this year. Titans win at home.

Vikings Need Jackson

Vincent Jackson is available. If traded by next Wednesday he will only miss four games instead of six. Teams should be on this like Rex Ryan on a bag of peanut M&Ms.



Pick him up!

 San Diego won't make it easy and I doubt they want to move him at all. He would have to sit out a total of five games with the Chargers, and based on his holdout and adamant stance, he doesn't want to play there. So if San Diego does want a first-round and later-round pick for him, the Vikings should do it. Here's why:

1)  His $9 million contract is chump change to the Wilfs. They threw more money at Favre this year for the hell of it. They were paying Sage Rosenfels $4 mil to be inactive on gamedays.

2)  They don't even use their first-round picks. Last year they just gave Detroit Jahvid Best by passing on their late first-round pick. Best scored two touchdowns in his first game. If they got Jackson, it would be another high-twenty pick anyway. If it's the 2012 first-rounder they want, fine. You'll need a receiver who makes the quarterback better, not the other way around, at that point anyway.

3) We don't know the health status of Sidney Rice. Everyone assumes he'll be 100 percent when he comes back. That's a big assumption. Just like thinking he could get through the season without having surgery in the first place, which backfired in training camp. Harvin will most likely miss a few games here and there. His migraines are allegedly "under control" but is on the injury report already with a hip.

4)  Bernard Berrian, Greg Camarillo and Greg Lewis cannot carry your passing game. Berrian can't play, Lewis can't even get on the field with this crew and Camarillo is still learning the offense. They need major help.

5)  With the four game suspension, and a bye in Week 4, there will be plenty of time for Jackson to learn the system and get comfortable with Favre.

6)  The addition of Jackson may bring Favre out of the depressed, my-receivers-suck state he's in. It's like he's about to cry every time he talks about the passing game. Jackson is a top-5 receiver with a good QB. He's better than Rice, who Favre cries about not being there. Imagine Jackson on one side, Rice on the other, Shaincoe hangin' out down the middle and Harvin in the slot. Very tough.

7)  Minnesota must do something to improve on last year. They can't rest on last year's success.

8)  Finally, I'm under the assumption the Vikings are trying to win a Super Bowl NOW. Favre is done after this year, therefore eliminating the Vikings from contention next year (based on their QB status). That means they need to do everything they can this year, which means trading for a premiere receiver. That may mean over paying slightly, but this is the last chance for a while in Minnesota. Two first-rounders maybe too much, but Mark Wilf and Rick Spielman need to find a way to make it happen.

NFC North Preview

People could argue this is the best division in football. I could be one of those people. This year features two premiere teams, an underachieving, highly-scrutinized team and a team that went 0-16. All areas are covered. At least the Lions appear to be trying now.

GREEN BAY 12-4

Rodgers - MVP?

A lot of signs are pointing to the Pack this year. The Aaron Rodgers discussion is over. There's no real doubt he has what it takes. Playoff wins are a must to put him in the elite group but because he played so well in last year's loss you can determine he's not a Romo, a player who folds up shop come playoff time.

The Green Bay offense will be firing on all cylinders with a healthy line. With any resemblance of a running game and adequate time, Rodgers will hurt you with precision down the field. Taking sacks has been an issue for years with Rodgers. Taking away his primary read allows more time for the pass rush to get there. Well-timed blitzes can work, as it did for Arizona in last year's playoff loss. Speaking of that ...

Giving up 51 points in a playoff game demands attention be paid to the defense in the offseason. Attention was paid. Unfortunately it was the wrong kind and it resulted in top-notch nose tackle Johnny Jolly being arrested and getting suspended the entire season. Last year's top-ten pick B.J. Raji will have to fill the spot. Aaron Kampman is no longer on the end after struggling to find an effective spot in last year's new scheme.

It will be the second year in Dom Capers' 3-4 defense. It has shown the ability to get pressure and force turnovers. The corners are getting older and Al Harris is still recovering from his spleen injury and starts the year on the PUP list.

The defense won't have to do much. Rodgers and company will cruise through the regular season and into the playoffs. It could be an MVP year for Rodgers.

MINNESOTA 10-6

Does he even care this year?

Brett Favre is back but doesn't look the least bit interested in being there. He's spent much of his time this preseason talking about how there's no way he plays as well as he did last year. How everything went right and there's no shot it can happen like that again. He's right but does he need to be so focused on letting everyone know a letdown is coming?

The Sidney Rice loss will hurt slightly but people must remember Favre turned him into a Pro Bowler. He clearly has the tools and ability but without someone putting it on him down the field consistently, he's just another guy. Greg Camarillo will be a nice addition for the receivers. Hopefully Percy Harvin will be on the field each week. On top of the migraines, he's always taking huge hits. He's one of the toughest young players in the league.

Adrian Peterson must prove he belongs in the upper echelon of running backs again. His fumbling has become a major problem and team have shown the ability to shut him down. Defensively, the Vikings will use the same formula they always have - rely on the front four to cause havoc and stop the run. Getting E.J. Henderson back at LB will be big for Minnesota.

The Vikings still have a very solid team, it will just depend on Favre's motivation. The schedule isn't nearly as easy as last year's, especially the beginning. If Favre loses interest, or his problems with Chili continue to fester, it could be a disappointing year in the Twin Cities.

CHICAGO 7-9

A day Bears fans may wish to forget

The Bears have been swimming in mediocrity for the last three years and fans shouldn't expect it to change this year. Despite some impressive moves in the offseason, notably signing Julius Peppers for $91 million, the Bears fate lies in Jay Cutler's hands. And that doesn't inspire confidence.

Cutler threw a league-high 26 interceptions last year. While the receiving corps is average at best, Cutler hasn't shown the signs of being a leader so far in his career. He needs to make the receivers better, not blame them for inexperienced mistakes.

Enter Mike Martz as offensive coordinator. This could be a volatile combination. Cutler has proven to be a difficult personality to deal with and mixing with Martz may cause additional problems. Martz will demand a lot, and Cutler hasn't been able to live up to high expectations in the past.

Teaming Peppers with Tommie Harris on the right side of the defensive line creates a tough combo. The linebackers must pull their weight but team leader Brian Urlacher, who missed all of last season, has already went down in the preseason. His time could be up as a top LB. Rod Marinelli is running the defense this year and will need a lot of big plays and consistency to stay in games.

Lovie Smith will be on the hot seat all year. Chicago is desperate for a winner and continue to have high expectations with its new acquisitions. The Bears will be competitive, just not to the tune its fans would like.

DETROIT 4-12

This needs to be avoided

After making history in 2008, the Lions and Jim Schwartz began the climb out of the deepest hole any franchise had ever been in. Last year was rocky, to be expected with a depleted roster, rookie QB and first-year head coach, but they scraped together two wins. Another productive offseason and draft should get the Lions a few more wins this year.

Matthew Stafford will be expected to be much improved in his second campaign. He will have to cut down on interceptions and stay healthy. Detroit picked up a few pieces in WR Nate Burlson, TE Tony Scheffler and draft pick RB Jahvid Best. All will help the offense and free up Calvin Johnson to make plays.

Schwartz went out and got Kyle Vanden Bosch and drafted Ndamukong Suh to sure up a very weak defensive line. No one gave up more points last year than the Lions (494) and will have to dramatically improve in order to have a chance. Look for another year of growth from Detroit.

Favre Frenzy

There's something about Favre that makes people lose their minds. We've all been down this road three times now and people are still going crazy over "reports" about Favre's decision making. I thought we covered all this last year. Even Favre doesn't know what the hell he's going to do. Certainly not right now.

The reports by the Star Tribune, ESPN and everyone else really makes me question how diligent these people are checking their sources. They were reporting Favre had "notified the Vikings he would not return." If you look closer it was some text message to an unnamed teammate that was the source.

Vishante Shiancoe told the StarTrib Favre "told a couple guys on the team he was going to retire." I need more than a mystery text message from a third or fourth party to confirm the decision of the most indecisive person in sports history.

They asked Childress. Of course he hadn't heard a thing about it, only saying the situation "is fluid," whatever that means. Steve Mariucci brought some sense to the discussion, claiming he talked to Favre who was, of course, shocked by all the fuss but said he never made such a decision.

Favre saying he's retiring in a off-the-record text message, allegedly, on August 3 doesn't hold any weight in the 2010 Favre Watch. It's much too early. He didn't join the team until August 17 last year. It's going to be later than that this year.

Calm down, Viking fan. No need to get anxious about battling around .500 with TJack behind center just yet. Favre Watch is far from over. As Rich Eisen said, "It's a marathon, not a sprint."

Blanks Already Filled In

I was getting worried FavreWatch 2010 would never get here. I’ve been waiting around for months and months wondering what the Wrangler-wearing, Southern Miss baseball-watchin’ gunslinger has been up to down in Hicksville, Miss. Only because I needed a few good laughs.

The entire Favre fiasco is comical to me now. I used to be think it was too much but now each time I see "breaking news," like Brad Childress visiting him in Mississippi, I laugh. The Power of Favre - it's so sad, it's funny.

Thank goodness for coverage of Childress’ visit to Mississippi Monday. That gave me the laughs I was looking for.When asked why he was there, Chili responded in his over-sized Vikings fishing hat, “You can fill in the blanks.”

Okay, I will. The Brett Favre-Brad Childress Fill-in-the-blank game:

Brett Favre will play for the Minnesota Vikings in 2010.

He will miss training camp because he doesn’t want to attend. His excuse will be his ankle. He will need that time to mow his lawn and discuss his future with his daughter on their front porch.

Childress will sit around waiting because he has no other choice. He’ll continue to lose all credibility and respect. By October, Favre will be officially the head coach of the team.

Favre will continue to drop hints about playing and throw to high schoolers in front of a camera, while never giving anyone a straight answer.

And everyone will watch.

Thanks, Chili. Filling in the blanks myself was much more fun than listening to your gruff voice mumble clichés. Plus, what does Chili know about Favre playing that we don’t? Nothing.

End note: One blank we don’t need filled in: Favre's lid. He's got never-ending supply of dirty, greasy Nike golf hats. Each one dirtier and more worn than the last. Good to know.

Typical Vikings

The Colts and Saints advance to the Super Bowl, but Favre is still the topic of the day. The late, ill-fated throw over the middle to Sidney Rice is getting the attention, but it wasn't just that mind-boggling play.

The Vikings are infamously known as a team that doesn't get it done in the clutch. Creatively crafting new and strange ways to lose games.

The Vikings nearly doubled the Saints in total yards. They held the league's highest-scoring team under its average, while giving Brees extra possessions.

Minnesota did a lot of good things, just not the most important ones. Protecting the ball and the quarterback are jobs 1A and 1B in the NFL. Favre wasn't sacked, amazingly, but took punishing shots all day.

The Vikings dropped its hopes and dreams of a Super Bowl run on the turf along with the ball. It was amazing Minnesota was still in position to have a chance to win the game.

Fumbling six times, losing three, is a sure-fire way to lose any game. Especially a playoff game on the road. Those were the biggest reason for the loss.

Favre's interceptions were puzzling. He tried to cram the first one in between three Saints. The second one goes into the file marked "Season/Career-Enders," right next to his last pass in Green Bay. But I trust him slinging it around more than Peterson running the ball.

No. 1 sign you're going to lose: Botching a hand-off after recovering a muffed punt at the opponent's 5-yard line right before half.

No. 2: Committing a 12-men-in-the-huddle penalty on the brink of field-goal range following a timeout with 20 seconds left.

Despite the numbers, the Saints were the better team on Sunday. They roughed up Favre and didn't commit as many turnovers.

The Vikings missed the best shot at a Super Bowl they'll have for years to come.

(Photo Credit: onmilwaukee.com)

Championship Sunday

Featuring Josh Jevne

It's go-time. It's time to determine who's going to Miami for Super Bowl 44 and two weeks of hoopla.

New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts - Sunday, 2 p.m., CBS

No reason to even break this one down.

The Jets are on a fairy-tale run. Rex Ryan is hamming it up once again - "No one believes in us." "No one wants us here." You're right, Rex. No one does want you here, except for annoying Jets honks.

I know all the defensive stats. I know they dominated Phil Rivers and the Chargers. I know about Darrelle Revis. I saw a lot of analysts picking the Jets to win this game.

I'm taking Peyton Manning. I'll take him over the top defense in the league. Losing this game would be catastrophic to his legacy and career. He needs more Super Bowl wins to cement himself as the greatest ever. And don't sleep on the Colts D.

Josh's Take: The clock is striking midnight for the Jets. Nice run, but the Colts have Peyton Manning and the Jets don't. Colts win.


Winner: COLTS

            ------------------------------------------------

Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints - Sunday, 5:40 p.m., FOX

This game is more challenging to pick. The Saints should win at home, but that's not the way it usually works.

Both teams are coming off impressive wins last weekend. I'm concerned that Favre was a little too happy after beating Dallas. I know he's just "a big kid, having fun" but that scene in the locker room was ridiculous.

The Vikings seem to have caught the injury bug, or they're just trying to play the "count us out" card. Kevin and Pat Williams missed practices, as did Ray Edwards. Those guys will all be suited up, but Percy Harvin coming down with another migraine is worrisome.

Each quarterback will be in charge of winning the game. I don't think Minnesota's defense will be as effective this week. Let's be honest: Tony Romo isn't Drew Brees. Minnesota will hope to get Peterson going to take some pressure off Favre.

The Saints defense led the league with 8 TDs. Darren Sharper will be looking to make a play against Favre, and I think he gets him once.

The home-field advantage will be a factor. The Vikings haven't played well at times on the road this season. I don't like picking against the Ol' Gunslinger, but I'm going with the Saints.

Josh's Take: I'm still wishing this was Rodgers v. Favre III. That would've been the best game of the season, but this is the next best thing. Even with the Saints at home, I think the Vikings will be able to make some big plays on offense (Sidney Rice) and defense (sacking and hurrying Brees) to neutralize the crowd. I am taking the Vikings.

Even though a Vikings win it will make it completely unbearable to live in the state of Minnesota for a non-Viking fan. Two weeks of Paul Allen screaming about Favre might kill me.

Winner:

Zach: SAINTS
Josh: Vikings

It's arguably the best Sunday of the year for NFL football. The best four teams remaining battling for a trip to the Super Bowl. Enjoy. May your team win.

Last Week: Zach 3-1, Josh 3-1
Playoffs: Zach 6-2, Josh 5-3

Cowboys Embarrassed

The Cowboys got their first playoff win last week. As predicted, that would prove to be satisfactory for this season as they were embarrassed by Minnesota Sunday.

Dallas went from looking like "the best team remaining in the playoffs" (quoted from a lot of "experts" at ESPN and NFL Network) to looking like the bumbling team that went 13 years without a playoff win.

The game barely started and Romo lost a fumble. Never gave them a chance. When Fozell "The Hotel" went down with a leg injury, which allowed Jared Allen to get loose, the game was over. When they got in FG range, Suisham missed.

Favre connected early on a deep pass to Sidney Rice that fired him up, which is what everyone in the whole state feeds off. If Favre isn't into the game, the Vikings chances are slim.

Romo looked like Aaron Rodgers did versus Minnesota. He looked confused, he couldn't get rid of the ball, he was fumbling and taking a lot of sacks. The difference is Rodgers still produced numbers and kept his team in the game. The Cowboys rolled over. Romo was sacked six times, the most ever in his career.

The most bothersome thing of the game: Keith Brooking trying to start a fight after Favre's 4th TD. Brooking said after the game that play call was "classless." How about you stop them, Keith? How about you "hit 'em in the mouth" like you say before each game? Running up the score doesn't exist in the NFL. Especially in the playoffs. Take your beat down like a man.